Newsletter

Community holds vigil for teenage homicide victim

Seventeen-year-old Jamel Harrison was the city's 27th homicide victim, gunned down on Hall Street in a Nov. 1 drive-by shooting. Two weeks later, he died in the hospital from his wounds.

Those are the facts that surrounded his death, but those who knew Jamel say his personal characteristics were hard to sum up in just a few words.

"He was just himself," said Ashley Johnson, a teenager who knew Harrison. "I was crushed when I found out what happened. I couldn't believe it. I just wanted to go see him."

About 100 people turned out for a candlelight vigil Friday evening near the spot where Harrison was shot. Parents and youngsters - some of whom said they didn't know Harrison very well - formed a semi-circle as they raised their voices in song and listened to a handful of participants who remembered Jamel fondly.

"He was one of the most well-mannered boys around here," said Lori Brightwell, whose daughter was friends with Harrison. "His mother raised him properly. I can only imagine her pain."

Harrison's mother said she was coping with her son's loss by relying on her faith. She had a compassionate message for the person responsible.

"He was an innocent bystander," said his mother, Edwina Harrison. "This was an example to all of you. Now, I just want the boy (responsible) to turn himself in. I feel sorry for his family, too."

That's what police want, too. Savannah-Chatham Metropolitan Police are still searching for Montrell Sharpe, 19, on warrants charging him with aggravated assault and murder.

Police say Sharpe was looking for Chris Holloway, 20, who had been standing next to Harrison when the shooting took place. Sharpe and Holloway were involved in a dispute over money, said police spokesman Sgt. Mike Wilson.

Harrison just happened to be there, visiting his friend.

Holloway and Harrison both suffered wounds when a gold Chevy Malibu allegedly pulled up, and the occupant fired several shots.

Paramedics rushed them to Memorial Health University Medical Center. Holloway was treated and released.

Harrison's mother pleaded with Friday's crowd, which contained a number of young men, to set aside violence and use her tragedy as an example.

"We're all black," Harrison said. "We all need to stick together. We won't get anywhere if we continue like this."

That sentiment was reflected in the words of the Rev. Alfred Mitchell. He led the group in singing "Amazing Grace" and then spoke on how the young men in the assembly should turn away from violence and instead embrace religion.

"There's nothing in these streets," Micthell said. "Please, all of you, turn your life to Jesus Christ."

A reward of up to $2,500 is available from CrimeStoppers for credible, anonymous information leading to an arrest. If you have information about the shooting of Jamel Harrison, please call police at (912) 651-6745 or CrimeStoppers at (912) 234-2020.